ROD DOBBS: Teaching & Installing Zone Runs

Right behind the Alex Gibbs staff clinic with the UF staff, this has got to be one of the most comprehensive instructions on zone running.  Rod Dobbs, a Gibbs disciple, who is now coaching at Chaparral High School in Denver, CO, clinics a high school staff while he was running the offense for Northern Colorado.  Dobbs goes over the entire scheme, technique, and how to make it work during a season in this 6 hour presentation.

This off-season, why not establish some relationships with other coaches and invite them in to get your staff on the same page for next year.

More Running from the Gun: Robert McFarland

With recent stops at Stephen F Austin and Iowa State, Robert McFarland (no longer in Ames), knows a thing or two about getting production with limited rosters (THAT's coaching).

Featured here is an exhaustive teaching tool covering the run game standards from the gun (speed option, power, zone).

Calvin Magee: Rodriguez Spread Offense

It wasn’t long ago that the West Virginia football program was known for an entirely different high-octane offense.  That offense was spearheaded by a coach who is now deemed a pariah after languishing at Michigan for the past few years.  Rich Rodriguez used this simple brand of  fast-paced-spread to pressure defenses during his stops at Glenville State, Tulane, Clemson and West Virginia.

Now at Pittsburgh, Calvin Magee was an integral part in developing this ‘spread to run’ offense that Rodriguez became renowned for.  In his own words and philosophy, here are 5 hours worth……

Greg Studrawa: Zone from the Gun

LSU’s current Offensive Coordinator, Greg Studrawa, provides a clinic of zone philosophy from the gun (circa 2006).

Intro to Zone Runs: 1988 Bengals

Fire up the DeLorean and insert the second 5 ¼” floppy disk into your Apple IIe!
We’re going back to 1988….


Here is a team video handout from Head Coach Sam Wyche that features a young Jim McNally (doing his best Matt Foley), Jim Anderson and Bruce Coslet.  Wyche may never get the credit he deserves for advancing the ‘modern’ game as he should, but in this time capsule we can see the evidence of his staff’s attempts to break out of the box and spread defenses.  If you lived through the 80s, I apologize for the flashbacks you’ll experience watching this, we're just offering this as a continued treatment documenting the adaptations of schemes.

McNally and Anderson cover the run game and Coslet jumps in (38:36) to review Y Option and the rest of the passing game.

The Bengals went on to be the most productive scoring (448), rushing (2,048 – 4.8 yard/carry average), and total yardage (6,057 – 7.9 yard/average) offense in the league in 1987.

Attack Nodes: Running From The Gun

This entry (and most that proceeded and will follow) is a result of a summer-long Noel Mazzone discussion between hemlock and I.  Mazzone represents the offensive innovation of the 90s maturing and adapting to the constantly changing world of football. If you’re over 30, you may be able to appreciate how an imaginative spark can ripple into a wave of change as time passes, sometimes taking decades to blossom. Specifically, how the things done in the late 80’s ended up shaping the zeitgeist of football we know today.

The previous posts featuring the Alex Gibbs staff clinic was simply a prelude to the larger focus here. The stretch clinic illustrated the brainstorming involved as offenses adapt to living in the gun full-time (“we’re not in Kansas anymore”).

As those videos documented, there came a time when Gibbs just threw out tight zone because it wasn't worth investing in as he was getting a favorable return with stretch.  While zone and stretch share similarities, many offenses are finding it is easier to just drop one or the other because they just don't have enough time to become proficient in the necessary skills to run them both.

While I believe there are some distinct “families” emerging here, I don’t truly believe there is a right or wrong path (both have considerable merit). With that, I will preface this with the disclaimer that most run attacks aren’t as codified as they will be depicted here. In this post, I’ll attempt to illustrate what issues offenses face by choosing a particular path.   This post won’t offer any absolutes or hidden truths, its just an editorial on where many offenses are headed.
 
INSIDE

Nearly two decades since Dennis Erickson made the above comments regarding his philosophy, that same tenet holds true for Mazzone. You spread the formation (horizontally) to run the ball. You aren’t running the ball to areas of the field where you are drawing defenders to (outside). With one-back, you empty the box to make running inside easier (by eliminating defenders by alignment) with the added dimension of utilizing outside receivers.
 
I believe the most interesting thing we can witness from the Arizona State Offense is how truly simple it is (we’ll get into greater detail later, but much can be seen by examining their protection).  It is this simplicity that allows it to be so effective and helps package the entire offense into easily distilled decisions for the quarterback. Mazzone’s run game is an extension of galvanized concepts he has carried with him during his career.

What is distinct about Mazzone is how he’s held true to that Erickson philosophy.  He doesn’t run stretch, he’ll run zone, zone read and trap, but for perimeter attacks, it is reduced to flash, tunnel, slow screens, and swing from play-action.  This isn’t unlike West Virginia under Rich Rodriguez or Tulsa under Herb Hand and Gus Malzahn, who were renowned for speed sweeps and power, but made their living off of zone and zone-read options.

     

For a 4-wide gun offense, zone can serve as the sprint-draw of the 2-back offense; an effective way to gain a numeric advantage against a defense with minimal defenders in the box.  Zone, by itself, would allow the offense to get 5 linemen on 5 defenders and insure at least 1 double-team at the point-of-attack. With the way Mazzone packages his offense, the run game is actually able to further weaken the integrity of the defensive front by systematically isolating backside defenders with a horizontal stretch (making the play-side C-G-T the only crucial blocks needed). With zone-read, the tight zone action can be used to:

• manipulate the backside defensive end into caving down inside and open up the quarterback keep (zone-read)
  
• keep the WILB flat-footed and out of position to defend the backside snag or F quick (flare)
  
• hold the play-side safety longer to provide an extremely clear read to run verticals against

        

       

 

  OUTSIDE   The other end of the spectrum here is where most other teams are at in terms of the spread run game, using stretch as the primary means of running the ball. This creates a bit of a quandary that opens a door of additional answers.

With a tight end

When you operate in a true one-back gun environment without a tight end, running stretch can be a challenge.  Without a tight end, you need the play-side tackle to reach an athletic defensive end who is in pass-rush mode for the better part of the game.

Without a tight end

You are also aiming for an area where you’ve already drawn defenders to by alignment (perimeter). This can be a cheap way of gaining yards (relying on cutting and reaching on the line), much like flash screens, where you don’t need killer blocks to gain positive yards. You don’t have to be tremendously athletic to reach a defender, but the better the athlete, the better the backside runs will be (because your backside guard/tackle can actually get close enough to cut backside linebackers).

  If you’re aiming point is to a ghost tight end, the read will most often be closed or consistently muddy for the runner. With all linemen bucket-step reaching play-side, it really amounts to just cutting off/getting in the way of defenders. Because that second down defender probably won’t get reached, he will impede the runner from actually bouncing outside (with second-level defenders gap filling inside of him), leaving the cut back the only option. To make up for this liability, you can attempt to fortify your read by adding another blocker (back or tight end) and simply try to invest more resources to improving the run (read).  This now invites more defenders back into the box which works contrary to the reason most spread offenses “spread”.

Add a back to insure your chances at the point of attack

The other alternative to making stretch work is to rely on the one guy your “spread” offense is centered around, the quarterback, to assume a dual-role as a runner.

Make your quarterback a runner (BOSS)

  This limited end-game is what leads most gun offenses to two answers.

• Use the bucket-step skill set of stretch and add to it by skip-pulling backside linemen for power (adding blockers to the POA)
  
• Purposely use stretch action to attack inside voids created by pursuit

by simply drop-setting the backside tackle to handle the backside end,

now the horizontal stretch on the backside linebacker becomes more pronounced.

As an illustration, we’ll use Tony Franklin as the contrast to Mazzone’s run game, though there are many who share the same philosophy of Franklin.  Another “coach’s coach”, Franklin has evolved his offense tremendously over the past decade and has been forced to find answers with limited talent.  The current version of his offense is largely owed to Dwight Dasher during his time at Middle Tennessee, where there was a heavy reliance on stretch and dash.  While at Louisiana Tech, Franklin began tapping into these skill sets more due to the reliance on running back, Lennon Creer (considerably more two-back, “wild dog”, truck, and power).  2011 will likely feature more of the same with the addition of a more mobile passer in Colby Cameron (update: it appears 17-year old Nick Isham is now the starter).

  These ‘variations on a theme’ may be required to survive if stretch is going to be the source of your gun run game.  While all of these counters off of stretch action open up avenues of stress for a defense (it provides a prescription for every symptom), they also require your offense to carry more tools into a game (more plays).   We’ve gone over several of these adaptations before and we don’t intend on covering old ground in this post. The point is to illustrate that current meme of stretch offenses centers around heavily exploiting backside horizontal voids, call it your “stretch counter”, if you will.

truck

Crunch

Stretch read (Flame/Fire)

Dash

You may need to invest more resources in your run game, but the potential for a greater dividend is there.  That being said, throwing a flash screen off your inside zone run action is one thing, it can become an even more explosive off of stretch action (see below) because of how it creates an inside void for the receiver to run through.

 
This all just accentuates the recurring theme that as things evolve and adapt, it all is cyclical. Trends and flavors of strategy have to remain organic and willing to adapt to their environment to survive.

There isn't any assertion here on which method is the best.  I am attempting to highlight the efficiency of one method over another.  Both offensive styles will run nearly the same passing concepts, both 5-step, quick, and screens.  The question would be posed on how much of a return should you expect on what is needed to be invested to make your run game from the gun work ( when operating from a true 4-wide, sans tight end, environment )?  To base your run game out of stretch when you don't use a tight end can become expensive, because it will necessitate the offense to incorporate the many variations to keep it viable.


** Hemlock has followed this with additional perspectives on Noel Mazzone and how a few concepts have evolved through the last decade and how Mazzone marries it altogether.

Alex Gibbs: Stretch/Gun Run Developments (Part 2)

Part two of the chalk talk video.

After covering Gibbs’ system and reviewing film examples in the first 4 ½ hours, the coaches assess Florida’s attempts at running zone-read and the feasibility of adding a give-read element to stretch from the gun (final 3 ½ hours).








We will follow shortly with an editorial post on the direction and choices many spread offenses have been  facing in recent years. Part I


Editorial / Summary

Alex Gibbs: Stretch/Gun Run Developments (Part 1)

There are great coaches, legendary coaches, and then there is Alex Gibbs.

Alex Gibbs, while not the architect of zone and stretch, certainly became the patriarch of the most productive run concept in the past three decades.  Since “officially” retiring with Atlanta, but doing heavy consultation work with Houston and Seattle (and we can clearly see his thumbprints there), Alex Gibbs has remained an integral part in advancing the art of the run game.

Here may be the beginning and end to your education on stretch runs and how the concept has evolved through reduction in the past five years (and adapting itself to the proliferation of the gun).  Gibbs sits down with Steve Addazio (now head coach at Temple), Dan Mullen (now head coach at Miss State) and the rest of the Florida staff brainstorming how they can improve their gun run game after Chris Leak left.  Gibbs begins by explaining his entire system in great detail, going over the terminology that is integral to how his stretch runs are packaged, how his quarterback in Atlanta evolved the game, and the new challenges of today presented by defenses out of the gun (and more)…..



We will provide this video as a preface, offer up the second-half of the video later in the week, then follow-up with how many spread teams have codified their run game (and how it ties into what Mazzone is doing at Arizona State) into two distinct families (and the advantages of each).


Sit down, grab a notebook, and enjoy…..









Part II


Editorial / Summary

Auburn Gap Runs: Hand Sweep

The "Hand Sweep" is nothing more than the old Wing-T “bucksweep”.

For the Hand Sweep, motion is optional, but used to hold the backside defender with fake reverse action.

The H-back blocks the same as power option, and looks to log the DE. With Hand Sweep, the H-back is more man-conscious, looking to kickout the DE if he takes an outside-upfield path. The H-back can be replaced by a tight end with no change (reach block) in assignment.

Split End – who is the bigger, physical wide receiver (Y) cracks first backer in the box.
Playside Tackle maintains his power B-gap track
Backside Tackle will hinge, like he does in power and counter.
Center blocks back, like he does in power and counter.
Playside Guard – will pull to block the support defender. If the defense is in man coverage (the Y receiver’s defender chases him inside), the guard will look to log the first backer to clear. If the defense is in zone (the support player just sitting in the flat), the guard will kick the defender outside.
Backside Guard - the backside guard will skip pull to pick up the backside linebacker scraping over the top. If this backer tries to run-through the open playside A-gap, the guard will pick him up. If the backside backer shoots the backside B gap, the guard will not pull and just pickup the linebacker.

One of the better methods of defending Wing-T is by matching numbers with a reduction (Under) front, making it difficult to get enough blockers at point of attack. To accommodate for this front, as the playside tackle would have a terrible angle to account for an A-gap defender, the playside guard will make an “IN” call. This communicates that he is staying “in” (not pulling) and adhering to his A-gap track. This now reverts back to how power is blocked, with the exception that the backside guard will now be pulling for playside defensive support player.

Auburn Gap Runs: Counter

Once you’ve taught the power, you’ve also taught the counter (to the playside). All the rules remain the same; PST works a B-gap track, PSG works an A-gap track, Center works backside, and BST hinges.

The only thing that changes with counter is the backside guard and H-back. The guard will change his pulling footwork to accommodate the trap technique on the end. He will exit on a 45 degree angle, rather than the 90 degree open-hip technique used on power option. Since the guard is kicking out the end, the H-back will exchange roles (with power) and seal the first backer inside the box.

The same principles used with power apply with counter. If the DE wrong-arms the kickout, the guard can log, leaving the H-back to loop outside and bounce the run.

After a heavy diet of power (overload of numbers at the point of attack), the homerun threat of counter action can stretch defenses to a breaking point. To help with this horizontal stretch, the slot (#2) running orbit motion will adhere to a simple set of rules. If the ball carrier is aligned in split backs (away from where the orbit motion is coming from), the slot (in motion) will continue on an (power) reverse track to the counter action. If the ball carrier is stacked (pistol), the motion man will reverse out and run an option course with the quarterback. This simple rule helps stress defenses who will game plan against counter/power, by spinning a safety down with the motion. By introducing the reverse path, the playside safety is widened, creating a larger seam for the ball carrier to run through.

One interesting thing to note regarding Malzahn’s approach to offense, is that with this system, they don’t tell the backs where to line up.  The backs will align based on the play called (not the formation).  A basic formation, such as “Twins Right” will be called (“Twins Right, 91 Counter”), but the H-back and Fullback will align based on the play (i.e. counter = split-backs).

Another wrinkle can be added to run the exact same play out of 1-back; QB Counter.  Nothing changes for guys upfront.  Since QB counter is usually run out of 1-back, the play-fake speed sweep helps open the run. 

Auburn Gap Runs: Power

Malzahn’s offense is premised on a 2-back run and play-action team that will keep constant pressure on a defense and defensive coaches by;

1. Running the offense at a 2 minute pace the entire game (physically and mentally wear them down)
2. Balanced attack
3. Heavy misdirection in the run and passing game
4. Stretch the field vertically and horizontally
5. Throw the book at defenses with specials, fire alarms, and various personnel packages. Plan to go into each game with 7-8 trick plays
6. Present the option in 3 different ways (zone read, speed option, power g option)

While the 2010 Auburn offense appears to be achieving success through this aggressive ethos, it is the run game utilizing Newton, Dyer, McCalebb, and Fannin that remains at the forefront.

After covering the zone-read with bubble last year and with the Cam Newton destroying defensive fronts this season, it may be time to cover Auburn's gap run schemes (Power, Counter, Hand Sweep). What is interesting about this "spread" is how much nothing has really changed over the years. This series is nothing more than Wing-T from the gun, and you'll find more and more spread teams complimenting their zone runs with these concepts (La Tech, for one).

Gus Malzahn gained notoriety as a high school coach in Arkansas throwing the ball and attacking through tempo and extreme spread sets (see ninja). While joining forces with Rich Rodriguez protege, Herb Hand, the appreciation of the 2-back power run game was realized and perfected. In this post, we'll take a look at how Auburn's inside/outside zone is complimented by gap blocking via "Power", in its many forms.

POWER G

The tenets of Auburn’s run game are simple; they want to appear multiple by changing formations, ball carriers, and backfield action, while keeping scheme and technique simple for the offensive line. By reducing the workload and specifity for the offensive line, it allows them to operate efficiently at a high-tempo.

One of the first plays Malzahn installs is Power. The play is rather simple and for the offensive line, the footwork and technique can remain consistent with their zone skill sets. The vital elements of this off-tackle play revolve around the playside tackle, the H-back, and the backside guard.

The H-back looks to make his first step to the midline of the defensive end (or EMOL), who he will kick/dig out of the C gap. He obviously wants to leverage this player quickly by striking the chest and pin the inside shoulder of the defender. This player doesn’t always align in the backfield. Malzahn will often bring a slot receiver or tight end into the formation late with motion.

The playside tackle will step down hard inside and follow a B-gap track. He is looking to work his track to the 2nd inside linebacker in the box. If it is an (base) odd front, the tackle will work toward the backside inside linebacker. If it is a stacked front, he will work to the MLB. If confronted with a 3 technique playside (defensive linemen in B gap), the tackle will look to make this DT an A gap player, washing him into the playside guard’s track (thereby creating a double-team). This method allows the tackle to have a better angle attacking the backside linebacker.

The backside guard on power will skip (or shuffle) pull by first taking a quick retreat step with his backside foot, then horizontally extend his playside foot (some would even teach the skip pull by placing the backside foot behind the playside foot for a quicker release), allowing him to keep his shoulders square to the LOS and prevent him from opening his hips away. The guard is looking to pull through B-gap (right off the hip of the playside guard), so this will be a short path, and work to the first linebacker inside the box.

As mentioned, the playside guard will step down and work an A-gap track and wash any shade head-up to shade of the center. The center will always block back on a nose / backside shade / backside 3 tech, aiming high to ensure the defender does not cross his face.

The backside tackle will hinge, by stepping hard inside to prevent backside B-gap penetration, retreat, and look to just get a hand on the shoulder of the backside end.

The running back will align 7 yards deep (just like he would in zone), with his inside foot on the outside foot of the playside guard. After meshing with the quarterback, he will hug the double team, right off the hip of the playside guard, attacking B-gap.

The slot receiver (or #2) will orbit (“Utah”) motion and get even with tailback. On the snap, he will reverse field and establish a pitch relationship with QB. Often times, this orbit motion will be extended across the formation to control the backside safety.

An effective way for defenses to combat power-heavy offenses (as I write about here in 2005) is to overload their overload, bringing strong side pressure into C gap ala a "MARS" stunt or "NCAA (fire zone) blitz".  This usually has an end long-sticking into B-gap and a linebacker blitzing into C-gap (or visa versa).  When anticipating outside pressure or a end crashing inside, the PST has the ability to make a "MOMO" call, which essentially means, "(I have a) Man On and a Man Outside".  This alerts the entire offensive line to slow down on their releases and allow the line to stunt, so they can pickup the exchanges.  With a "MOMO" call, it will alert everyone to be man-concious on their blocks; the PST will delay his track release, waiting on the end to crash into B-gap (where he will wash him inside).  That alert helps the H-back recognize that the end will not be on the edge once the ball is snapped, and won't be the defender needing to be kicked out.  The center will delay his backside block on the shade, anticipating the playside defensive tackle to cross his face, and likewise, wash him on his gap-track.

  

QB POWER

When you have an exceptional runner at quarterback (like Cam Newton) Power can be run with him as the ball carrier and/or a running back can be substituted as the ‘quarterback’ (ala Wildcat). The QB power is usually complimented with perimeter stressors like speed sweep / reverse.

POWER OPTION

 

While great anywhere on the field, the Power Option is Auburn’s go-to play in the red zone. It is becomes the fail safe answer to fundamentally sound defenses that look to spill the load block (H-back) with the wrong-arm. Since it becomes near impossible to kick out a C-gap defender who is cutting inside a blocker, with Power Option this defender will be logged (pinned inside) and the area of attack will be moved to the perimeter. The H-back will log the end and the backside guard will work around the log and pick up the scraping MLB (first backer in the box).

The only nuance of Power Option for the line (everything remains exactly the same), is the technique used by the backside guard. Because the H-back will not be kicking out the end, the guard will have a longer path to work to the backers. To account for this, Malzahn will have the guard use the ‘old-school’ shoulder throw with playside foot pivot as the first step. Opening the hips of the guard for this extended pull track (outside C gap) helps neutralize any penetration and gets the linemen to the destination faster.

The split end will attack the slot receiver’s (who is becoming the pitch man) cover defender and the pitch key will be the flat defender. This is a fantastic play inside the 10 yard line, as most defenses will be in some sort of man coverage.

Trends: Zone Read

As I've stated many times, part of the satisfaction of watching football is experiencing the maturation of the game. With the Zone Read run game, the natural evolution to zone/stretch with bootleg compliment, the efficiency in creating a horizontal stretch of the defense is too productive to ignore.

NCAA_zone read @ Yahoo! Video

Will it 'catch on' in the NFL? Who knows, but judging by these clips below, it isn't going away any time soon, nor should it be regarded as just a "gimmick". This may also fundamentally change the way the professional quarterback (prototype) is viewed, or at the very least affect the way in which front office allocate personnel (bringing in multi-dimensional run/pass threat players).

NFL_zone read @ Yahoo! Video
NFL_zone read @ Yahoo! Video

Now, defenses must account for the 5 receiving threat +1. This in turn will force defenses to adjust/adapt either through personnel, fronts, or coverages (leading to a proliferation of nickel and dime packages).

Do you zone up and risk being overloaded by numbers, or do you man up and.......

NFL_special @ Yahoo! Video

...have no one account for the 'quarterback'.

Zone Blocking - Ron Hudson (ULL)

Ending the OL presentation, was ULL OC, Ron Hudson, discussing ULL's notorious rushing attack.

( Audio of Clinic Presentation Here )

Philosophy
Linemen work playside gap to linebacker, which becomes a zone, gap, man-scheme.

Rather than talk about hips and footwork, Hudson feels his emphasis on face and hands ("point with nose") is what helps his linemen grasp zone concepts faster ("in playside gap, put your nose to far number of defender").

The question Hudson wants to present on every down is "Can the defense stretch with us"?
Then he will see where the offense can stop just one of the defenders (from stretch) and gash them for a big run

RB Coaching points (on zone)

• Slide shuffle
• Shoulder square to cocked to attack
• Stay on track to aiming point
• Press heels of OL

OL Coaching points (on zone)

Uncovered:

• deep bucket step
• 1,2,3 square
• get vert

Or

• Shuffle (gain leverage)
• then press (vertical)

Covered:

• Bucket step (lose ground to gain leverage)
• Plant your face on far number (of DL covering you)
• Take steam off slanter (DL moving away, stay on as he crosses your face)
• Follow landmark (far number)

Uncovered linemen work flipper / near leg (2nd step) / to near flipper:
1. Lateral
2. Flipper

Hudson's approach with surface contact on zone is premised on kinetic loading through dipping the hips prior to engaging a defender. This becomes a 1, 2 step then (load) vertical jump through the defender. This is illustrated through his "Superman" drill shown below.

Coaching Points for linemen

• Don’t extend arms in run game (think tripod)
• Throw face and hands on 2nd step
• Dip hips to uncoil (helps timing)
• Eyes to the sky when Crowther pumping (don’t drive through and bury your head)

ULL REACH from ragin caucasian on Vimeo.

Zone Combos

Ringo / Lucky / Triple (line) calls to communicate help into zone
If the center hears a Ringo call– and near man (3 tech) comes, the nose doesn’t matter

Triple is 3-man combo (and PST just 'hears' "Ringo", meaning he's on his own) between the BSG, C, and PSG

uncovered center slams nose and works to Mike. He can work to slam the nose, and have the BSG work towards the Mike


Uncovered center sees the near knee of the 3 tech come towards him, he will work to take him, while the PSG 'takes the steam off' the stick

Cadence
The cadence is ALWAYS on 1, and they don't have false starts because the center calls the cadence (though the QB calls the protection at the line). The cadence is a 2-syllable, 1-word ('SETHUT'). The center snaps the ball on the 'T' of SET. The rest of the line will rise out of their stance on the 'H' of HUT.

When working freeze plays, the center can make a "Trout" call, declaring the TACKLE will call the cadence (great for aggressive defensive ends).

ULL INSIDE RUN from ragin caucasian on Vimeo.

DASH & ZACK - Developments in Spread Run Game

As discussed previously by Smartfootball and TrojanFootballAnalysis, the advent of spread zone-read running has lead to responding with a counter-punch to defenses that heavily play their fronts away from the back's alignment. Additionally, the "Dash" (or fake Dart) play works great when your regular run game (stretch/zone) isn't working as well (because of smart reading defenders), especially if you don't have a tight end that can block, or you don't want your QB to run all the time.

The team (Oregon) who spearheaded this adaptation, lines the back up a bit further up than regular stretch to create a backward angle of attack. This allows him to widen a flat-footed (reading) playside defensive end.

The QB give-rules remain simple;

• If the DE flat foots at all (or wrong-arms the kick out), always give the ball
• If there is any doubt at all (if he comes up to feel / crash), pull the ball
• ** QB pulls the football if there is any blitz off the edge to the fake

The Dash play has become the perfect compliment to zone running but requires no different practice time. The QB reads remain identical, and no one has to do anything differently. With as little invested, the return becomes pronounced as the defense will be forced to adjust to how they not only defend dash, but also zone and stretch, as well.

This can be run off of regular stretch, and or off of Dart (tackle pull) action.

Running out of 3x1Another great way to utilize this concept is from the leverage of defenders with a 3x1 formation.

If a defense leaves a hole player away from the trips (respecting the common run away from trips), you end up with solid numbers on the perimeter into trips.

If the defense overplays the formation to the trips side, and cheats their hole player over, you end up with great numbers away from trips. A solid block by the single receiver leaves the back on a home run course to the end zone.

In addition to this key-breaker is the called zone cutback, "Zack".

Another 'cheap' (little time needed to rep this) play that attacks when defenses defeat your base run, this is a 3-step-then-cutback run for the back. This is especially effective when defenses overplay their fronts away from the back (antipating runs to them).

Florida Run Game

ZONE READ

read @ Yahoo! Video
ZONE (Quarterback)

Q Zone @ Yahoo! Video
ZOMBIE (Zone Lead)

Zombie @ Yahoo! Video
TRIPLE OPTION

triple @ Yahoo! Video
SPEED OPTION

speed @ Yahoo! Video

POWER

POWER @ Yahoo! Video

DART

DART @ Yahoo! Video

COUNTER

counter @ Yahoo! Video

WINDBACK

Windback @ Yahoo! Video

Geaux Hawkeyes: Outside Zone

Congratulations to the Iowa Hawkeyes and their battle against Michigan State this weekend. As they climb the BCS rankings this season, take note of former Oline coach, Kirk Ferentz's bread-and-butter running play, Stretch (Outside Zone).

Ferentz and Oline coaches, Reese Morgan and John McLaughlin ( no, not THAT guy ), stress key fundamentals for gaining leverage on defenders. The system they have used since Ferentz’s arrival in Iowa City has consistently featured a dominant run game (regardless of talent).

Their teaching progression for gaining leverage is as follows;

• Get underneath and inside
• Eyes on Target
• Flat Back
• Pad under chin
• Elbows in
• Hands Under
• Knees under chest

They stress the Olinemen to attack low-to-high, deliver an initial punch and then get the defender on his toes.

Once locked on to the target, if the defender tries to get away, they should accelerate their knees (and run over him). When the defender attempts to run away, that’s when guys get flattened because the inertia and combo blocking is too much to overcome.

The first step of the Olineman is a tight reach to the defenders' playside number. It doesn’t really matter if it is 3” or 6”, it all is relative to the athlete’s ability. The second step should be placed to put the lineman’s knee in the crotch (center of balance) and get vertical by driving his feet. From there, leverage is something they fight for with every step, looking to overtake the defender with movement.

HAWK RUN GAME from ragin caucasian on Vimeo.

Here we see their stretch run game utilized heavily throughout the game from various formations (both strong and weak). The following clips coming from their last drive in the game and the exciting last minute play (just basic 3-step slant-shoot concept) in the final 2 seconds is worth seeing again....

HAWK STRETCH from ragin caucasian on Vimeo.

Having coached one, and also against five Hawkeye starters, I don't feel so bad about my situation now.

Spread Run Game

Enjoy......Free cuts of Appalachian State & Missouri Run Game